Most banks close on Christmas Day, but some branches open on Christmas Eve
Most U.S. banks close on Christmas Day (December 25) because it is a federal holiday. Christmas Eve (December 24) varies by bank and location — some branches stay open for regular hours, some close early, and some close entirely. Your bank's specific hours depend on which bank you use and which branch location you visit.
If you need to handle banking on or around Christmas, the safest move is to check your bank's website or call your local branch directly. Most banks post holiday hours online by early December, and you can usually find them under "Hours" or "Locations" on the main site. A phone call to your branch takes two minutes and removes the guesswork.
Key Takeaways
- Federal banks close on Christmas Day (December 25), so you cannot visit a branch or use teller services that day.
- Christmas Eve hours vary widely — some branches close early, some stay open regular hours, and some close all day.
- ATMs and online banking work on Christmas Day even when branches are closed, so you can withdraw cash or transfer money without visiting a branch.
- Check your bank's website or call your local branch before December 24 to confirm whether it will be open and for how long.
- If you need cash over the Christmas period, withdraw it before December 24 to avoid being caught without access.
How to find your bank's Christmas hours
Go to your bank's website and look for a "Locations" or "Branch Locator" tool. Enter your zip code or the branch you usually visit, and the page will show you hours for that specific location. Most banks update this information by the first week of December.
If the website does not show holiday hours clearly, call the branch directly. Ask whether they are open on December 24 and what time they close. If you bank at a large national chain, you can also call the customer service number on the back of your debit card and ask about your local branch.
What you can and cannot do on Christmas Day
You cannot: Visit a branch, speak to a teller, open a new account, or get a cashier's check. Branches are closed and staff are not working.
You can: Use an ATM to withdraw cash, check your balance, transfer money between your own accounts, pay bills online, deposit checks through mobile banking (if your bank offers it), and call customer service for account questions. These services run 24/7 even when branches are closed.
If you need to deposit a check on Christmas Day, most banks let you photograph it through their mobile app and deposit it that way. The check will process when the bank reopens on December 26.
Planning ahead for the Christmas banking period
The week between Christmas and New Year's is busy for banks, and some branches may have reduced hours even on days they are technically open. If you know you will need cash, withdraw it on December 23 or earlier. If you need to deposit checks, use mobile deposit or plan to go in on December 26.
If you have bills due around Christmas, pay them online before December 24. Online payments usually process within one to three business days, so a payment made on December 23 will clear by December 26 or 27. Do not wait until Christmas Eve to pay bills that are due soon after.
If your bank is closed on Christmas Eve and you need to handle something urgent, check whether a nearby branch of the same bank is open, or whether they have a different location in your area with different hours. Some banks keep certain high-traffic branches open longer during the holiday season.
What happens if you need cash and banks are closed
ATMs work on Christmas Day, so you can withdraw cash from your own bank's ATM or from an ATM in the Allpoint, MoneyPass, or Surcharge-Free networks (depending on your bank). If you do not have enough cash on hand and your bank's ATM is not accessible, you may be charged a fee to use an out-of-network ATM.
Some grocery stores and pharmacies offer cash back when you make a purchase with a debit card, even on Christmas Day. This is free and does not require a trip to the bank. If you are in a pinch, this is often the easiest option.
Banks that may have different Christmas schedules
Most national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citibank, US Bank) follow the same federal holiday schedule and close on Christmas Day. Credit unions may have different hours — some close on Christmas Day, but others stay open. Community banks and smaller regional banks vary widely.
If you bank at a credit union or a smaller bank, do not assume they follow the same schedule as the big national chains. Call ahead or check their website to be sure. Some credit unions stay open on federal holidays or have limited hours, and you need to know this before you need cash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use my debit card on Christmas Day if the bank is closed?
Yes. Debit cards work at ATMs and in stores on Christmas Day. You can withdraw cash from an ATM, make purchases, and pay bills online. The bank being closed only affects in-person branch services like speaking to a teller or opening a new account.
Will my check deposit process if I deposit it on Christmas Eve?
If you deposit a check in person at a branch on Christmas Eve before the branch closes, it will process when the bank reopens on December 26. If you use mobile deposit on Christmas Eve, the same timeline applies — the check processes on the next business day, which is December 26.
What if I need a cashier's check before Christmas?
Order it before December 24. Cashier's checks require a teller, so you must go to a branch while it is open. If you need one for a December 25 or 26 closing, you will need to get it on December 23 or earlier. Call your branch to confirm they have time to issue it that day.
Do banks open on December 26?
Yes. December 26 is a regular business day, and all banks reopen. Hours return to normal. If you have anything that needs to be done in person, December 26 is when you can do it.
What if Christmas falls on a weekend?
If Christmas is on a Saturday or Sunday, banks are already closed that day anyway. The federal holiday observance moves to the nearest weekday — usually Friday if Christmas is on Saturday, or Monday if Christmas is on Sunday. Check your bank's website to see which day they observe the holiday.